Published: July 04, 2007 11:26 pm         

Cook takes Woodward mat reins

Bobby Cook promises to be “offensive’’ as Woodward’s new wrestling coach.

“I like to preach offense,’’ said Cook, who was approved as the Boomers’ new coach at a school board meeting Monday. “I would rather win or lose a match 15-12 than win or lose a match 2-1.’’

Cook was an assistant at Class 4A state champion Lawton MacArthur last year and was an aide at Class 3A power Locust Grove three years before that.

“This (first head coaching position) is something everybody looks forward to,’’ Cook said. “I had other opportunities before, but I opted not to take them. I was looking for the right situation.’’

Woodward had its first-ever top 10 finish at this year’s Class 4A state tournament.

The Boomers return four state qualifiers from last season — Matt White, 112; Jake Ruble, 125; Zach White, 160; and Derek Branson, 215, as well as senior Joey Miller, who became the first girl to place at state in 2005.

“Woodward is a sleeping giant as far as wrestling goes,’’ Cook said. “If you can get the support of the community and the administration, the sky is the limit.’’

The community appealed to Cook, who didn’t have any previous connections to northwest Oklahoma before taking the job.

“The people here are great,’’ he said. “My wife and I wanted to put ourselves in that type of environment.’’

Cook was virtually born to be a wrestler. He was the last of four brothers, all of whom were state champions. Brother Tony excelled at the international level. His first job was under brother Johnny at Locust Grove.

“The name Cook is pretty well known in wrestling,’’ he said. “I had to be a wrestler.’’

Cook was a two-time state champion and a two-time state runner-up at Locust Grove in high school.

He accepted a scholarship to Syracuse, but the Orangemen soon dropped their program. Cook ended up as a four-time Southern Conference champion at Tennessee-Chattanooga. He was an NCAA qualifier as well.

Cook received his bachelor’s degree in history from Northeastern Oklahoma State.

He will stress discipline and conditioning with the Boomers.

“Conditioning is a big factor in wrestling,’’ he said. “You could be wrestling someone who is better than you, but if they’re not in good condition and you are, it can level the playing field. It gives you a better opportunity to win.’’

Cook sees himself as a wrestler’s coach. He said his strength is being able to motivate and relate to his wrestlers.